Saturday, December 21, 2013

Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has hinted that he might not play in the Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Candidates 2014 for a chance at taking a shot at the next World Chess Championship. Anand lost the World Chess Champion title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway a month back in Chennai.

Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand was speaking to journalists in Pune after launching an NIIT Mind Champions programme. Asked if he had decided about playing in the Chess Candidates, the 44-year-old said: "No, not at the moment. I mean, most likely I won't play. Zurich is the only confirmed event for me right now. There are many interesting invitations for the second half of the year. And possibly I will be playing in Ukraine, where I will be playing rapid."

Anand also told journalists, about analysing his loss to Magnus Carlsen, "To be honest I have actually preferred not to do any of it (post-match analysis). I think sometimes you just accept that things can go horribly wrong and then it's more important to recover and focus on the next tournament rather than be obsessive about what you did wrong. Clearly, there will be some broad lessons and they are accepted as well."

When asked, by another local journalist, if World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen had an attitude problem, Anand said, "You know you can’t really control what other people do. If you lose at the chessboard then you should not pay attention to anything else. Therefore, I don’t care what he does. I lost on the chessboard and you just have to accept it."

As regards chess being included in the Olympics, Anand said, "It has been like that for a while. I don’t think there any prospect for the sport now. The procedure itself is going to take too long. It will take a lot of time for the sport to be approved. Even if it happened today it will take eight years.” On his chances of being awarded a Bharat Ratna after Sachin Tendulkar, Anand said, "I don’t know. It is not something that you lobby for."

The eight-player Candidates tournament in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, starts on March 12, 2014. The winner of the tournament will become the Challenger for Magnus Carslen in the World Chess Championship in November 2014.

The World No. 9, Viswanathan Anand (2773) was in Pune to launch the NIIT's Mind Champion Chess programme. Anand's slot will go to 21-year-old Fabiana Caruana of Italy, the world No. 7 (elo 2782).

Viswanathan Anand has automatically qualified for the Khanty-Mansiysk Chess Candidates 2014 after losing the World Chess Championship 2013 match. Anand has to convey his decision to FIDE at least 30 days before the start of the Candidates to allow Caruana to play else the replacement might not take place. -- Rajat M Khanna

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Chennai, Nov 23 (ANI): Father of newly-crowned World Chess Champion praised Viswanathan Anand and said that Magnus Carlsen has learned a lot from him. Magnus Carlsen became the world chess champion as Game 10 of the chess championship ended in a draw in Chennai. Father of Magnus Carlsen, Henrik Carlsen expressed happiness and said everything has come out in the best possible way. While talking to journalists after the match, Henrik Carlsen praised Anand and said Magnus had learnt a lot from him.

New Delhi: Do you aspire to be the World Champion of Chess in your life? Have Carlsen’s moves and game talent at the recent World Chess Championship hooked you to this game like never before? Would you like to be in Carlsen’s shoes one day?

Send your thoughts in not more than 500 words on “How Magnus Carlsen has inspired you by winning the World Chess Champion title at the young age of 23” and “What lessons you have learnt from seeing his hard work and dedication to a game that originated in India thousands of years ago”.

Instructions/Rules:- Entries should be only in English and typed (not handwritten)- Entries should not be more than 500 words.- Entries only from students between 13-15 years will be accepted. - An age certificate from your school is compulsory.- Only one entry per student is allowed.- Bulk entries from schools will not be accepted. Only individual entries should be sent.- Competition is valid for Indian students only.- Please provide your full name, name of your school, address, a passport size photograph and contact details along with your entry.

Deadline for submission: 30 January 2014No phone calls/email enquiries please.Results will be announced only to the winners directly, and via the Embassy’s website.

Entries to be sent via postal mail/courier (email entries will not be accepted) to:

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

World Chess Champion 2014 Magnus Carlsen: An Indian numerologist's take on why Magnus Carlsen of Norway defeated former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand to become the World Chess Champion 2013 in Chennai a few weeks back.

Astrology and numerology are part of the Indian psyche and Indian cultural traditions. Some view it as a science, while others consider it a matter of superstition or personal whims! We expected, sooner or later, an astrologer or numerologist to come up with a theory surrounding the Magnus Carlsen versus Viswanathan Anand World Chess Championship 2013 in Chennai. We found one. Here is a video for those interested in the astro-numerology of the Carlsen - Anand World Chess Championship 2013 in Chennai:

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Chennai: Indian media on Saturday said a new world order had dawned after local favourite Viswanathan Anand was outplayed by Norwegian prodigy Magnus Carlsen in the battle for the world chess title.

Carlsen, the 22-year-old reigning world number one, won three games and forced a seventh draw on Friday to achieve the victory mark of 6.5 points in Anand`s home city of Chennai, the capital of southern Tamil Nadu state.

Under the headline `New world order`, the Mail Today newspaper said Anand`s defeat "signalled the change of guard at the top of the chess world".

"His (Carlsen) brand of fighting, aggressive chess may also mark a new era," the English-language daily said, wondering if Anand would "try and earn a right to challenge Carlsen late next year".

Anand, who at 43 is 21 years older than his rival, lost the title he has held since 2007 despite a last-gasp fight in an attritional 130-move game on Friday that lasted four hours and 45 minutes.

Carlsen played four draws early in the tournament to counter Anand who could never recover from blunders he made in the crucial fifth game.

The Times of India said that with Anand`s comprehensive defeat, an era had ended in chess.

The paper said it was "poetic justice" that Carlsen heralded the new era in a country where the game of 64 squares has its origins.

"It took Anand 20 years to travel between GM (grandmaster) title (1988) and undisputed world title (2008). Carlsen has done it in less than 11 years," the daily said.

The Indian Express said with Carlsen`s triumph, "the world of chess is on the threshold of a generational change".

"It was not just Carlsen`s dominance... but what he represents that has fans excited," it wrote.

Carlsen missed by a few weeks becoming the youngest world champion, a record set by his one-time coach Kasparov in 1985.

The last Westerner to hold the world champion title was US legend Bobby Fischer who relinquished it in 1975.

The tournament was widely reported across Indian media which aired the matches live on television, building an unprecedented hype in a country where cricket is the number one sport.

The vernacular press also gave wide coverage to the championship with daily and detailed reports of their battle featuring on the top of the sports pages.

The Express attributed some of the excitement to the youthful personality of Carlsen, which it said, set him apart from past champions.

"Young and marketable, Carlsen is the antithesis of the traditional image of the reclusive and recondite chess genius," the newspaper said in a front-page report.

Quoting Russian legend Garry Kasparov, it said: "A win for Carlsen is also a win for the chess world." -- AFP

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Game 9 Press Conference at Chennai World Chess Championship Match 2013: His title defense in tatters after suffering another loss, world chess champion Viswanathan Anand today said he was left with little choice and decided to go for the kill in the ninth game as he had to drastically change the course of the World Chess Championship Match.

Going into the ninth game today with a two-game deficit, Anand said he had to give it a shot.

“In general, the match situation did not leave me with much of a choice. I had to give it a shot, I saw a couple of moments where I could exit but I decided to give it a shot. It seemed very dangerous for black,” the defending champion said.

The Indian Grandmaster mentioned it was a moment of excitement that led to the blunder. “In a sense it was irresponsible or silly but I spent about 40 minutes on this move and then I suddenly saw his response. And for a second I got excited with this knight move (which was the blunder) and simply missed. As soon as I played the knight move I saw what I had done,” the Indian conceded. *28.Nf1 played in position on the left instead of 28.Bf1

Explaining the match situation, Anand said he had no regrets about his choice of opening. “I needed to change the course of the match drastically that’s why I went for this. I had a rest day to get familiar with the lines. Basically this is what I had to do. This was the correct choice so I have no regrets for that,” he noted.

When asked whether he still will go for the kill in the last three games, Anand said he will try. “Of course, I will try but the situation doesn’t look very good,” he said.

As soon as the ninth game ended, giving Magnus Carlsen an unassailable three points lead, highly regarded British grandmaster Nigel Short came out with a tweet: End of an era.

Carlsen showed to the world that his maturity is not confined to the 64 squares in the post-game conference when the question was posed to him. After a usual poise, came the answer. “Let’s be correct this time,” indicating that the match is not over yet. (Unfortunately, a journalist decided to ask that question to Anand even though the tweet was meant for the GM's own Twitter followers.)

The Norwegian agreed that he was even scared for the first time in the match.

“Basically all the time I was scared, white’s position looks menacing. I had to calculate as best as could and go with that. It seems that there wasn’t any mate (checkmate),” Carlsen said.

Speaking about his choices in the game, Carlsen said that it was quite complicated. “We got a very sharp position from the opening. Basically I missed something with e5, in general I would like to block the pawns but there too he has options,” he added.

Looking for the counter play, the Norwegian hit back on the queen side. “I just had to go all out for counter play and there were amazing number of complicated lines, I was not sure what to do. As it happened I had to play the only moves for a long time and fortunately for me he (Anand) blundered.”

After his third victory in just nine games, Carlsen is now just a draw away from dethroning Anand who has remained the undisputed world champion since 2007. -- PTI/Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich/official website

"The first facet of Magnus which struck me was his amazing memory. He could recall almost everything that he heard, read or was shown. Which meant that I couldn't actually read out the same passage of the book more than once. By the second time, he would be telling me what was written even before I started reading. He made rapid strides in his game within a year and his incredible improvement left me quite amazed. Today he is of course a lot more confident as a player," says 34-year-old Torbjoern, who is part of Team Carlsen.

"I remember an instance when I was delivering an online lecture to the national U-20 team, Carlsen scrambled up the chair beside me, curious. I let him join me. I cannot help but admit that during the course of the entire lecture, I was actually hoping he would not be pressing all the keys. He was just restless. I can see that restlessness in him even now, restlessness to win."

While Torbjoern trained the 22-year old challenger to the world title for a year, it was under Simen's decade-long tutelage that Carlsen found his footing. "I think he could be a little nervous since it's his maiden World Championship match, at least I am", says Simen, before pausing to add, "I trained him for 10 years till he finished high school. To me, Magnus is playing chess the way we talked about when he was nine and discussed what a world No. 1 would play like in the era after Kasparov. More practical, less computer chess."

Simen, who is in Chennai to witness the match, is still recovering from a dislocated jaw which he suffered after falling over a lumber. Brother of Carlsen's manager Espen, the 46 year-old feels the match will be all about nerves. "Being well-rested before the games and handling of the nerves will hold the key."

Having had a run-in with Anand during the world junior championship in 1987, Simen only knows too well what could possibly be in store for Carlsen. "I first met Anand in Luzern in 1982. He beat Norwegian player Leif Ogaard in our match against India. He was fast. Supersonic actually. His experience, I think will be invaluable in a match of such intense pressure. Playing with white though, looks like an advantage for Magnus during the course of the match to me," says Simen.

While both Simen and Torbjoern continue to train students in the sport in Norway, they are both agreed that it would be a while before another young Carlsen walks up to them curious, restless and ambitious. -- As told to Susan Ninan/Times of India

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Game 8 Chennai World Chess Championship 2013 Magnus Carlsen - Viswanathan Anand 1/2-1/2: Is an injured tiger more dangerous than a tiger looking for prey? We have four games remaining to find out the answer to that! Game 8 at the Chennai World Chess Championship on Tuesday was a quick draw. That leaves Magnus Carlsen still in lead with a score of 5-3.

Four games are still to be played in the World Chess Championship Match if Viswanathan Anand is to force a tiebreak. Wednesday is the rest day and Anand returns with White in Game 9 on Thursday.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen now needs only three draws or 1.5 points from four games to become the next World Chess Champion.

Game 8 - lasting just 75 minutes and 33 moves - saw Carlsen fire off his moves in only 20 minutes. The only excitement of the game was that Magnus Carlsen battled his own poison - the Berlin - that he uses as a weapon when playing with Black against 1.e4. Anand played took the same route against Carlsen in Game 8.

From Carlsen’s perspective, the draw takes the Norwegian a step closer to the title. Magnus Carlsen played 1.e4 for the first time in the Match. Quick exchanges followed and the chess board came down to pawns and Kings grid-locked in a draw.

Speaking at the press conference, World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand said, "Given the match situation I am expected to liven things up, I will try to do it in the next game."

Dr Jana Bellin conducted the doping tests on the players after the end of Game 8 as part of the FIDE endeavour to become a part of the Olympic family. Anand side-stepped the subject of doping tests at the press conference and went straight to discussing the game of the day. -- Rajat Khanna

Monday, November 18, 2013

Heinz India, an affiliate of H.J. Heinz Co., has announced that it is signing up World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand as brand ambassador for Complan with Memory Chargers. The announcement comes during the World Chess Championship that is being held in Chennai.

This association will include Anand sporting the Complan with Memory Chargers logo during all professional commitments starting with the World Chess Championship.

A Globosport Platinum Rye deal, the association signifies a partnership of excellence as one of the country's one of the leading brands, backs one of the India's iconic and trusted names in sport, said V. Mohan, Director-Corporate Affairs Heinz India. While the World Champion takes on the challenger and India watches with a bated breath, the team at Globosport Platinum Rye and Heinz India have made their winning move.

He said, "Vishwanathan Anand personifies hard work, strategic and smart thinking and a sustained quest for excellence - traits that we as a company are eager to encourage in every young Indian child."

Anand in a statement said, "I am selective about the brands I partner with. I would like to be associated with brands that I can trust personally. Heinz, over the years has commanded confidence and trust across the globe and I am delighted to be part of this globally well-trusted company."

The H.J. Heinz Company, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA provides nutritious and convenient foods for families in 200 countries around the world. Heinz came to India in 1994 and over the years has built strong local products like Complan (Milk Food Drink), Glucon-D (Glucose Powder), Nycil (Prickly Heat Powder), and Sampriti Ghee apart from its iconic Heinz Tomato Ketchup.

Complan is a premium health beverage scientifically designed to maximise the growth and development potential of children within their genetic potential. It is a leading brand and nutrition expert in the "milk food drink" category. Complan with Memory Chargers is a delicious chocolate flavoured drink which helps provide key nutrients required for children's cognitive development.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

The crown slipping away from his hands, defending champion Viswanathan Anand will have to pull himself together and produce a couple of sterling efforts to come back in the World Chess Championship match against Norwegian Magnus Carlsen. (Photo: JM Mahesh/official website)

With the scores reading 4-2 in favour of Carlsen and just six games to come, the Norwegian is well on track to win his maiden world title in his first match itself.

Carlsen has clearly dictated the course of the match so far and Anand needs to do a 'Houdini' of sorts if he has to remain in the match. As things stand, Carlsen needs just 2.5 points in the next six games to prove youth's supremacy over experience.

While the championship started on a predictable course no one had expected Anand to cave in so easily. The defending champion is feeling the heat and the way the last two losses have come, they are sure to dampen the spirits.

Carlsen had started as the favourite and he is living upto that. Everyone, who understands chess, knows his style, which are long and tiring grinds where he creates complications out of nothing and then almost hypnotises opponents into making mistakes.

This has been the hallmark of the world number one and in this championship too, he has carried on in similar vein. Anand has been looking at forcing variations both as white and black but has not succeeded as Carlsen's plans have proved to be better.

One Caro Kann and two Berlin defence in the three black games have given nothing away to Anand and the Indian in fact has found very little going his way.

On the contrary, Carlsen has succeeded in creating exactly the kind of positions he wanted out of nonchalant, in fact, almost forgettable openings.

The Norwegian has presented a new style to the chess world wherein home preparation takes a backseat.

Anand, if anything, seemed stressed. Normally, the one to keep emotions in check, the local hero had a mild loss of temper during the press conference after game six.

"I mean, today was a heavy blow. I will not pretend otherwise. Nothing to be done, you just go on," he said.

A Norwegian journalist asked how he would deal with it, to which Anand answered: "Well you just do your best."

The same journalist wanted him to elaborate on his answer, to which Anand answered: "Doing your best means doing your best. I don't know why you don't understand English?"

It is never too easy to take such losses in stride and even more difficult to attend a press conference soon after such pressing defeats.

Fortunately for Anand, it's not over yet. He still has three white games and he needs to wins to equalise. The Indian ace needs to pull himself together to make a match of it.

Monday is when he will his white pieces again. If he can turn the clock back a little by winning one, then a lot can still happen. Team Anand has a lot to do on the rest day. Plan 'B' has to be initiated. -- PTI

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Chennai World Chess Championship Game 6 - Viswanathan Anand - Magnus Carlsen 0-1: They said Magnus Carlsen does not know chess openings. They said Magnus Carlsen does not have the match experience. The World No. 1 didn't hear what they said. At 22, Magnus Carlsen is now the heavy favourite to become the next World Chess Champion. He has won both Game 5 and 6 and leads 4-2 as the World Chess Championship 2013 goes into half-time.

World Chess champion Viswanathan Anand struggled once again with White pieces in the sixth game on Saturday. The overnight shock continued with a second successive defeat for the Indian who has struck back after similar losses in previous World Chess Championships and eventually won the title.

But, Magnus Carlsen, held steady today. Ironically, any "lesser player" but for Magnus Carlsen would have settled for a draw in both Game 5 and Game 6 which should have been the games' logical conclusions.

Not so with Carlsen. The experts can say the game's a draw. The strongest of computer engines can say the game's a draw. Magnus Carlsen has to play it all and find out for himself.

Anand opened with 1.e4 and faced the Challenger's Berlin Ruy Lopez. Anand stayed away from an early Queen exchange and tried 4.d3 which he has used previously to beat Russian talent Sergey Karjakin. Anand sprung a novelty with 10.Bg5 to pin the Black knight on f6 taking advantage of the fact that Carlsen’s dark-squared bishop is outside the pawn chain. Carlsen traded the light-squared bishops, steered his Knight back from c6 to b8 to d7 to support the Knight pinned on f6.

Game 6 press conference

The game was very much level even after Carlsen neutralised Anand's subsequent central operations. Anand tried to push considering the previous loss in Game 5 and walked straight into an endgame to the liking of the World No. 1. Carlsen was quick to end all White's chances with a series of exchanges diluting down to a Queen and Rook plus pawns endgame.Anand, unable to deny his inherent human element, faltered while facing Carlsen's adamant chess. Even then, versus someone else, such minute mis-steps by the World Chess Champion would not have mattered. Unfortunately, for fans rooting for Anand, Carlsen pounces upon even the slightest of errors like a carnivore looking to devour.

Thereafter, it was Carlsen playing for a win or draw, while Anand was on the backfoot trying to save a draw. Carlsen soon went pawn up even though the position was still theoretically a draw. This was exactly the case in Game 5 as well. Magnus Carlsen played on and on to win again.

In the post-game press conference, Carlsen said he was happy to have a nice lead at the half-way stage in the World Chess Championship Match. Viswanathan Anand said the loss was a blow and he would not try to pretend otherwise.

Magnus Carlsen needs just 2.5 points more from six games to become the new World Chess Champion. Sunday is a rest day and Game 7 will be played on Monday. -- Rajat Khanna

Friday, November 15, 2013

Chennai World Chess Championship 2013 Game 5 goes down in history as the first game won by Magnus Carlsen at the event versus Viswanathan Anand: What was it? The overnight stay at Fisherman's Cove, the Pyjama Girls' effect, sister Ellen's intuitive tweets of a victory for Magnus Carlsen, more supporters at the venue, or just pure chess? Possibly all combined.

This one's going to be one for both history and chess classrooms: World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand lost to World No.1 Magnus Carlsen after 58 moves (five and a half hours) in a Rook ending that really wasn't losing until the very end. Finally, Anand blinked on Friday. All earlier four games at the World Chess Championship Match have been drawn so far.

The Challenger, for the first time in the match, played 1.c4 instead of 1.Nf3 which he had tried so far with White. Not opting for the main variations, the game steered from Semi-Slav to Noteboom to Marshall Attack and a Nimzo-Indian pawn structure with the rare 6.Nc3. Carlsen also sprung a surprise with 10.Qd3. Eventually, the pair of central pawns were exchanged and white dark-squared bishop had better scope.

Black ‘won’ the bishops pair and isolated one of the opponent’s pawns, but white completed the development and was ready for action. One careless move by black – 13…Bc7 – allowed Carlsen to perform convenient exchanges and transform the structure to his advantage.

Both players had pawn weaknesses but white pieces enjoyed greater activity. White was slightly better without any risks. Anand’s bishop was passive but it successfully protected the entry points on the 7th rank. Black also activated the rook along the fifth rank though it seemed to get blocked there. Both of Black's rooks remained disconnected for ages.

White couldn’t break in and black pieces gradually gained activity. However, Anand still had to find the best moves just to stay in the game. He did so for some time until a careless check 45…Rc1+ cost him the a-pawn. In the resulting rook endgame with ‘a’ and ‘h’ pawns, white pieces were ideally placed to force the quick advance of the passed pawn on the a-file. Anand resigned after Carlsen got the second passed pawn on the h-file rolling.

In the post-match press conference, Carlsen said the first to win a game does not mean he has won the match. There are still seven games to go. The sixth game, in which Anand has White, will be played on Saturday. Here is a summary of all live streams that you can use for viewing Game 6 live. -- Rajat Khanna (inputs via official website)

Magnus Carlsen fans cheer for the World No. 1 at the Chennai World Chess Championship 2013 versus Viswanathan Anand. They are the 'Pyjama Girls'.

This is a photo is of the 'Pyjama Girls' thus nicknamed after their photograph went viral via Twitter during the third game of the Carlsen - Anand World Chess Match on Tuesday.

The girls were happy enough to turn around for us! This is a photo of them at school where they often play chess. .

Amalie Pedersen (the blonde in Black) told us, "My friends and I, sat and watched Carlsen against Vishy Anand. We love Magnus Carlsen and wanted to give Carlsen our support, so we got my mom to take a picture of us and we posted it on twitter with hashtag #nrksjakk."

Amalie told us, "We are four girls of 16 years, who are studying in our first year in high school. We are all very interested in chess, and especially Magnus Carlsen. We have followed through on Carlsen's progress in chess since we were 10 years old. He is our idol. But when we play chess, it’s just for fun and as a hobby."

"Sometimes we have chess evenings together where we sit and play some chess. I think that Magnus has great chances to win the title of World Champion in chess. He is smart and I think he has planned some good moves, and he has the highest chess rating of all time," she said.

GM Nigel Short ‏was quick to tweet: Why weren't there any girls taking their clothes off when I played the World Ch? #jealous

GM Parimarjan Negi promptly tweeted back: I guess Aruna is hoping that Indian girls are not so daring :)

The girls said, "We tuned in to the World Chess Championship match first on Saturday. And, now we cannot stop watching. Magnus Carlsen has become our idol. We are interested in chess and have special interest in Carlsen."

Speaking about their town, Amalie said, "We live in a small place called Andebu. It is slightly off Tøsnberg which is Norway's oldest city. In middle school we had a chess board in the classroom that anyone could use during recess, but otherwise it's not so much chess interest here. However, we are interested in chess now with this World Chess Championship Match, so more young people could also be interested now in Norway."

Here is the VGTV video interview of the girls in Norwegian

Andebu is a municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Andebu. The parish of Andebo was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. Andebu has large areas of woodland. -- Rajat Khanna

The campaign has been conceptualised by Grey Digital. Consumers can participate in the Chess Challenge on Crocin’s Facebook page and stand a chance to win. Players can register on the Crocin Chess Challenge Facebook app and begin to earn points by playing against the computer. All games against the computer are timed.

Players can also earn points by taking the quiz which has chess-based questions or inviting friends to the Chess Challenge. The pecking order of the players on the game’s leader board is constructed classifying players as Brilliant Bishops, Relentless Rooks, Knowledgeable Knights and the Chess Champion based on increasing order of their performance and points.

While five Relentless Rooks stand to win Viswanathan Anand merchandise every day, top 10 Knowledgeable Knights will get a chance to meet the legend himself. One chess champion will be crowned from among the top 10 performers who will get to play a game of chess with Viswanathan Anand.

Speaking about the contest, Jayant Singh, EVP-Marketing, GlaxoSmithKline India, said, “Over the years, Crocin has been trusted by millions of consumers in India to get effective relief from pain. New Crocin Cold & Flu Max not only provides effective relief from 5 signs of Cold and Flu but also helps bring back your focus. Chess is one such game that epitomizes focus and concentration. We are glad to host the ‘Chess Challenge’ with the brand ambassador for Crocin Cold & Flu Max Vishwanathan Anand. We wish him a great championship ahead!”

Viswanathan Anand, said, “Chess is a unique game that truly tests the player’s ability to strategize and foresee. I am glad to be a part of the Crocin Cold & Flu Max ‘Chess Challenge’; the contest provides a platform for chess lovers to enjoy the game and also showcase their knowledge about the game through the quiz. What is interesting is that the game can also be enjoyed by inviting friends to join. I am looking forward to being challenged by the contest winner; it will certainly be an exciting game of chess!”

Sudhir Nair, Sr VP & Head – Grey Digital, said, “We were sure that the championship will create good social chatter and we were tracking what people had to say through listening services. We are already seeing good traction for the game and are confident that this will play an important role in building Crocin in the digital space.”

The Chess Challenge is supported by an extensive campaign consisting of display banners, YouTube video pre-rolls and stamp ads. The campaign duration is from November 7 to November 28, 2013. To participate, click here for access to the Crocin Facebook page.

There are several chess events running parallel to the Anand versus Carlsen 2013 World Chess Championship in Chennai. The Grandmaster International Chess Open will run from November 15-23 on an 11-round format with a total prize fund of $16,000. (Photo: Russian Chess Fed)

World Chess Championship Challenger Magnus Carlsen's father, Henrik has some great advice for parents, particularly chess parents: Don't push your kids into anything. Here are excerpts from a LiveMint interview with the World No. 1's father (Photo: Photo: SaiSen/Mint)

How was Magnus as a child different from his three sisters? He wasn’t different at all as child. He was pretty much the same as his sisters. We didn’t notice anything unusual at all. For instance, I am good with numbers. So was Magnus till he turned 5, but after that, he didn’t take interest in numbers at all.

Honestly, it took us a long time to figure out that Magnus could be good at chess or be different from his sisters in any way at all. So the way we brought him up wasn’t different at all from the way we raised our other children.

But it was you who introduced Magnus to chess, isn’t it? Yes, I taught him the game when he was 5, but initially he didn’t take much interest in it. It was like that for many years, and I didn’t care. He suddenly started taking interest in chess when he was about to turn 8. And he developed that interest completely on his own. At that time, he was also interested in football, and till about 12, he played a lot of football as well.

At what point did you realize that he was a gifted chess player?When he started taking interest in chess, he could really focus on it. He wasn’t interested in anything else at all. It was only then that we realized that Magnus could focus on only one thing, unlike other children who would be interested in several things. For Magnus, it was chess and chess alone.

That was the time when we realized that he was somewhat different from other children of his age. He must have been 8 or 9 at that time.

By the time, he turned 9 or nine-and-a-half, he started beating me at chess. So, looking at his drive from within, we thought maybe Magnus wants to play chess seriously. My wife, though, wasn’t much interested in chess initially.

He quit studies quite early in his life. Was it his decision? Did you agree with him when he did that? He must have been 16 by the time he decided to quit studies. Initially, we always encouraged him to pay attention to his studies as well. There were times when we would have to ask him to stop playing chess, skip tournaments and so on, so that he could finish his homework and cope with studies. But never the other way round.

When he eventually decided to quit studies—and that was completely his own decision—we didn’t object to it because by that time it was clear to everyone that he definitely had a future in chess. Chess always came first, so we would never have to push him to train in chess.

Also, being a Norwegian helped. Because of the high standards of social security in Norway and other Scandinavian countries, children there are able to explore special things.

For somebody of Magnus’ IQ, he would have been good at many other things, not just chess. What do you think he could have become had he not taken a liking for chess? No, no, no… I don’t know about his IQ. I don’t know what he could have become had he not played chess. You should ask him what he wishes to be when he quits playing. So far, he has only played chess and has always focused on it.

Having brought up a prodigy, what is your advice to young parents?Honestly, we never thought of Magnus as a prodigy and bringing him up wasn’t in any manner different from bringing up my other children. We treated him in the same way as the others in the family because, as I said, he never appeared to be different in any manner.

It was only when he started focusing on chess and we could see that he could switch himself off from everything else, did we realize that he turned out to be somewhat different from his sisters, or other children for that matter. Since then, he has only been doing what he loves to do: play chess. And we didn’t stop him from following his passion.

My advice to young parents is that they shouldn’t pressure their children into doing anything. They should allow the children to decide for themselves what they like. This can take time but if eventually a child can focus on something—like Magnus could focus on chess—allow him to pursue a career in what he enjoys doing.

Defending World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand on Thursday conceded that he came out of a lost position in Game 4 of the World Chess Championship match against Magnus Carlsen of Norway. The game ended in a gruelling draw in Chennai on Thursday. (Photo: Official website)

"Something went wrong in the opening. I made one illogical move after the next and then I missed something with this knight move. And then I was just basically lost," Anand said at the post-game press conference.

"I am sure he had many wins in what he played. Towards the endgame it was a little bit scary in this four rooks endgame but finally when I gave a check on a8 and then moved my rook, I was safe," Anand said.

"I was lucky twice. Just before the time control I could give a check and made my next move and reached the time control. It happened twice."

Asked whether he missed losing the pawn, Anand said: "I didn't really miss it. If I didn't play Ne2 what do I do. I was just being consistent."

Carlsen was pretty happy with the way things went for him today.

"I was doing pretty good, and then when I won the pawn I was very optimistic. He kept on finding resources and I was missing some little things. He really fought very well. It's bit of a pity to have spoiled such a good position but it was a very good fight," he said. Carlsen was all praise for Anand in his usual ways.

"He kept finding very good resources that at least I could not deal with. I didn't see any clear win. Anyways you have to do something and right before the time control I thought I might be winning but it was not the case. It's not so easy, there were many tactical possibilities. I was just trying to navigate through them," he said.

On a lot of energy going in these long games the Norwegian showed his funny side.

"It's a rest day tomorrow and we are playing a world championship match. On move 56 Anand had one minute, there is a chance that he will fall in to checkmate," explained Carlsen on why he was continuing in a level position.

Anand said something similar about Carlsen.

"Magnus too kept on finding resources when I thought it should be a draw. I was lucky that I could play last two moves quickly when down to one minute."

The match will resume on Friday after a rest day on Thursday and Carlsen will have white pieces in the fifth game. Anand will have White pieces in both the sixth and seventh games. --PTI

Monday, November 11, 2013

Chennai Anand vs Carlsen World Chess Championship 2013 Media Update:LiveMint has reported that legendary World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov has reached Chennai Monday evening without any welcome from the organisers of the Anand - Carlsen World Chess Championship. Kasparov has himself said that he is in Chennai as a "chess tourist". The legendary Grandmaster is accompanied by his wife Daria.

Arundhati Ramanathan writes, "The 50-year-old legend did not get any attention from the organizers of the world championship match underway in Chennai when he arrived in the city on Monday for a two-day visit to cheer for Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian challenger to Viswanathan Anand’s world title. On Monday, Kasparov checked into Chennai’s Hyatt Regency hotel, where the match is being played, at around 5.20 pm, accompanied by his wife. No one except some hotel officials received him."

In India, Fide vice-president DV Sundar is quoted as saying, Kasparov has come on his own, not at the invitation of the world chess federation, “Who are we to welcome or not welcome him?” he asked.

Kasparov will not be allowed to address the media at the venue of the world chess championship match, a key official said.

“I have been advised by the Indian chess federation that he should not be allowed to enter the media centre (from where Fide officials and the two players have been addressing press conferences),” Arvind Aaron, press officer for the Chennai 2013 world title match, said on Monday.

“In my view, this is a PR (public relations) disaster for the Indian chess federation,” said an Indian Grandmaster, asking not to be named. “In the light of Kasparov’s plans to contest the Fide elections next year, the Indian chess federation got swayed by the political implications of his visit. But this isn’t any way to treat a player of his stature.”

“I am here as a chess tourist,” Kasparov said arriving at the hotel. “It’s a free country.”

When told that the organizers refuse to take note of his visit to Chennai, he said Fide was “concerned” that he could get a lot of media attention in India and that the Indian chess federation wasn’t backing him as Fide president.

The organizers should only make sure that nothing untoward happens during the visit that could “portray (him) in bad light,” Kasparov added.

It isn’t immediately known if the Tamil Nadu government, which is the principal sponsor of the world championship, endorses the Indian chess federation’s stand on Kasparov. Officials in the sports department said on Monday that they had not been briefed on the matter.

Kasparov, who retired from competitive chess is 2005, remains one of the most haloed players ever, having been the world champion for some 15 years till 2000. A part of his reign, though, was disputed because of his rift with Fide. He lost his title to fellow Russian Vladimir Kramnik, whom he tutored for a long time.

Though they passed up the opportunity to pay their respect to Kasparov, the organizers are bracing for a huge turnout of fans at Hyatt Regency hotel on Tuesday when the former world champion turns up to watch Carlsen play Anand in the third of their 12-game match.

Kasparov, who has inspired generations of players, still remains one of the most recalled chess icons anywhere in the world.

A human rights activist who takes interest in Russian politics, Kasparov has announced that he will contest for the president’s post in the Fide election next year. “Unlike with (Vladimir) Putin, at least we can be sure that the votes will be counted,” Kasparov said on Monday, when asked about his chances of winning.

Addressing the media last week, current president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov described Kasparov as a “worthy contestant”, even as he reiterated that he will contest again because heads of national chess federations want him to carry on.

Ilyumzhinov has led Fide since November 2005, having funded the sport since the early 1990s. He committed to bring in at least $10 million for tournaments and for promotion of chess if he is voted to lead the federation for another term.

Like another world chess champion Bobby Fischer before him, Kasparov has repeatedly rebelled against Fide, demanding more money for winning world championships and better television coverage of chess. In 1993, he broke out and founded the Professional Chess Association (PCA) to launch a rival world championship.

The PCA collapsed after holding two world championships—in 1993 and 1995—after one of its key sponsors, chip maker Intel Corp., backed out. But the world championship remained divided for many years until Kramnik won a reunification match in 2006.

Asked why he wanted to contest the Fide election, Kasparov said the current leadership had “missed a lot of opportunities” and that he could bring about meaningful changes, but quickly added that he was in Chennai only to watch the match and wish Carlsen luck.

“I can guarantee that in the next 48 hours, I won’t be campaigning,” he said.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

There's going to be a huge chess day in Bærum, Norway on Sunday, 1st December! Chess parents and chess kids are invited from all over the world.

Bærum is the region where Magnus Carlsen grew up and took his first steps in chess, and it was only natural that the authorities supported the idea to organize a big chess day for kids in Bærum.

The regional officials have teamed up with Stormester & Stormester - involved in chess teaching at the Norwegian Elite Sports Academy “NTG Sjakklinja” and the chess line for kids “Dragulf”. They arrange after-school chess courses, evening courses for kids and adults, regular rapid tournaments, lectures with GMs, training camps for talented young players, international chess tours and publish books. (More about their activities at www.stormester.no and www.dragulf.no and their FB page in English www.facebook.com/stormester.no)

The organisers also will welcome Magnus at the big chess event on his return from the Chennai World Chess Championship against Viswanathan Anand.

The main event in the chess celebrations will include a team school championship, a rapid tournament over six rounds. The tournament is open for everybody and has many different groups for all the ages (including a separate group for parents).

More chess activities will include the NTG Rapid Grand Prix (a rapid tournament for rated players in 2 groups), different chess contests for kids, and last but not least, a celebration of the World Championship Match and Magnus' birthday.

There will be nice prizes and surprises for everybody!

All the participants of NTG Grand Prix and Bærumsmesterskap 1st Desember will be presented a new edition of Simen Agdestein’s book on Magnus Carlsen!

Your lovely gift if you participate in the big chess festival organised by Stormester & Stormester.

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We've been celebrating the World Chess Championship 2013. The new World Chess Champion is Magnus Carslen, but we will continue to post links, views, features surrounding the World Chess Championship 2013 for the sheer joy of having witnessed chess history being created. Feel free to share opinion, links, and even point out errors - no matter which side you have been cheering for. Let's just continue celebrating a historic chess event. (Email: editor@blackandwhiteindia.com)